Ceretto, Maziarz fight for voting rights in Niagara Falls

by jmaloni

Submitted

Thu, Mar 6th 2014 09:40 am

Call for
restoration of polling sites

Assemblyman
John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, and State Sen. George Maziarz, R-C-I-Newfane, are
calling on the Niagara Falls School Board to improve voting access for Niagara
Falls residents by restoring polling sites in the city. Currently, there are
eight polling places provided by the school board. The elected leaders said this
number does not allow adequate access for people to exercise their most basic,
fundamental rights in a democracy. Ceretto and Maziarz want the number of
polling sites increased to 2012 levels, which would give residents 23 places to
vote.

"The
people of Niagara Falls deserve an equal voice in government, and this voice is
secured through voting access during elections. We have a responsibility to
ensure that the residents of Niagara Falls have easy, fast access to the polls
on Election Day," Ceretto said. "When such basic rights in a democracy are at
stake, we must make sure that everyone is allowed to exercise their right to
vote."

Maziarz added,
"Niagara Falls residents deserve to have every possible opportunity to hold
their elected officials accountable. If residents can't get to the polls
because they live or work too far away, then they don't have full access to the
political process. That cannot be tolerated in this day and age."

The
politicians said an increase in the number of polling locations would help
increase turnout in elections and magnify the voice of Niagara Falls residents.
In particular, more polling locations would help residents who rely on public
transportation, senior citizens and people with disabilities. More polling
locations would reduce travel distance and time waiting in line to vote, which
has been proven to increase voter participation in elections.